the Derbyshire Dales

The Derbyshire Dales' population grew older in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in religion, housing tenure and work life.

The population passed 71,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of the Derbyshire Dales increased by 2.4%, from just under 69,500 to 71,100.

The addition of just over 1,600 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, the Derbyshire Dales was home to, on average, 0.64 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres). This made it the East Midlands' third-least densely-populated district.

Population density was lower than the average across the East Midlands

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the East Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older the Derbyshire Dales

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of the Derbyshire Dales increased by four years, from 43 to 47 years.

This agricultural area had the second-highest average age in the East Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 3,100 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 3,000.

About 15% of people in the Derbyshire Dales are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and the Derbyshire Dales by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in the Derbyshire Dales

The number of people in the Derbyshire Dales from the White ethnic groups increased from just under 69,000 in 2001 to just over 70,000 in 2011. As a share of the total population, the percentage remained close to 99%.

Across the East Midlands, the percentage of people from this ethnic group fell from 93% to 89%, while across England the percentage went from 91% to 85%.

The number of people in the Derbyshire Dales from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from about 270 in 2001 to just under 470 in 2011 (from 0.4% to 0.7%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 230 to just under 400 (from 0.3% to 0.6%).

About 87 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from about 86 in 2001 (0.1%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in the Derbyshire Dales remained close to 99%

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and the Derbyshire Dales by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in the Derbyshire Dales

The number of people in the Derbyshire Dales that described themselves as Christian increased from just over 55,000 in 2001 to about 49,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 79% to 69% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the East Midlands (from 72% to 59%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in the Derbyshire Dales that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 9,000 in 2001 to just over 16,000 in 2011 (from 13% to 23%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 4,900 to about 5,100 (from 7.0% to 7.2%).

About 240 people (0.2%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from just over 150 in 2001 (0.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in the Derbyshire Dales decreased by 11 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and the Derbyshire Dales by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in the Derbyshire Dales that rented privately increased from 9.2% to 13% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) households lived in social housing, compared with 13% in 2001. The percentage of the Derbyshire Dales households that owner their home decreased from 75% to 72%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in the Derbyshire Dales increased by 3.4 percentage points

Percentage of households in the Derbyshire Dales, the East Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in the Derbyshire Dales

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership increased in the Derbyshire Dales, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the East Midlands, except Rutland and Rushcliffe.

Every local authority area across the East Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership, as the regional average grew from 28% to 32%.

In 2011, just over one in four (25%) people aged 16 and over in the Derbyshire Dales said they were single, compared with 23% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 58% to 55%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they were single across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

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